Letters to the editor

Southerland's votes should raise concerns

In a new analysis, the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund looked at the votes of all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and rated Rep. Steve Southerland a "dirty air villain." The analysis is based on 13 major clean-air votes; members who voted against clean air at every opportunity are designated "dirty air villains."

"Americans count on their elected officials to help protect them and their children's health from dangerous air pollution," the report said, "but this analysis shows that far too many members of Congress are neglecting that responsibility in favor of doing the polluters' bidding."

It is bad enough that Southerland represents a district dependent on a healthy fishery yet was named "Ocean Enemy No. 1" by Ocean Champions, a national organization focused on preserving oceans and ocean wildlife. It is unbelievable that he sits on the House Natural Resources Committee and does just the opposite of what the committee is charged to do.

Southerland has voted for or introduced legislation that is harmful to our:

? Water: (HR 3856 which limits the authority of the EPA with respect to water quality).

? Air: (Rated a "dirty air villain").

If you want a good man who will represent your district and protect your natural resources, water quality and clean air, vote for Al Lawson on Nov. 6.

JIM CLEMENTS

Carrabelle

captjmclements@aol.com

Reader issues warning
to political campaigns

My vote in November will be decided by the candidate and party who invades my privacy the least with their robo-calls.

BRIAN SPECHT

Marianna

specht.bl@gmail.com

Stewart will bring strong skills to commission

Re: "Liens, lawsuits filed against Stewart" (news article, Sept. 27).

Steve Stewart is an honorable man. He started his business in 2006, which is clearly the worst year in this century to have done so, but he is working it out, paying his bills and employing people. I hope people will remember that when they go to the polls.

I trust the Democrat will do the honorable thing and print the "not so pretty" things about his opposition as well. Unfortunately, the press has the power to skew elections simply by picking and choosing what it prints. I am counting on the Democrat to show all sides of both candidates in this race.

I believe Steve Stewart, with his education in electrical engineering, his work experience with the PSC and, most important, his experience as a small-usiness owner, is uniquely qualified to serve Tallahassee.

PEGGY MUNROE

peggy@talstar.com

Doctor challenged on facts regarding pollution

I have to question some of Dr. Ronald Saff's "facts." He states that particulates from coal-fired generating plants in Pensacola, Tampa and Jacksonville blow into Tallahassee and that there are no sea breezes to remove them. From Pensacola? Probably, because the prevailing winds are from the west, but they should be widely diffused. But, from Jacksonville and Tampa? I want to see some evidence.

He states that Tallahassee has the highest concentration of particulates in the state. Considering the distance from any coal-fired plant, I would guess that the "highest concentration" is still very small, presenting little threat. The coal industry claims that 85 percent of particulates are removed at the plants, leaving little to spread over a vast area.

Saff lost credibility with me when he claimed, some years ago, that a patient or patients of his had visited a city where there was a coal-fired plant and suffered increased symptoms of respiratory trouble. No mention of any other possible causes, yet he concluded that a coal-fired plant was the problem.

If I'm wrong, someone please provide some significant statistics about particulates in Tallahassee.

RAY EVANS

Perry

lcdrray@yahoo.com

Redistribution can be
a valuable tool

Re: "Romney is correct on wealth redistribution" (letter, Sept. 24).

Saw your piece in the paper and it immediately made me think of football conferences. For instance, in the SEC, Vanderbilt wouldn't have any athletic programs if it didn't get an equal share of SEC revenues that the bigger, more powerful schools generate. The letter-writer raises an interesting question and I have no argument with his numbers, but if you had 10 kids wouldn't they all be entitled to an equal amount of your time, attention and treasure regardless of their abilities or good looks?

Lots of states aren't as appealing as Florida and California, and this being America, we can't make people move to those states to balance this inequity. And I can assure you, regardless of what he says on the campaign trail, Mitt Romney can't make me (or you) move to Mississippi.

R. PAUL MIRAGE

rpm@nettally.com

ADVERTISEMENT

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

P.O. Box 990, Tallahassee, FL 32302 or letters@tallahassee.com

Letters should be no more than 200 words, and include your full name, address and telephone number for verification purposes; only names will be published, and email addresses, unless requested otherwise. We may condense letters and edit for grammar and clarity.

Most Popular

Most Commented

More Headlines

Most Viewed

Photo Galleries

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Letters to the editor

In a new analysis, the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund looked at the votes of all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and rated Rep. Steve Southerland a 'dirty air villain.'